Ortensia Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin 1678

This engraving by Gerard Valck depicts Ortensia Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin, a prominent figure in 17th-century French society. Created in 1678, the work showcases the Duchess in a seated pose, her elegant attire and calm demeanor highlighting her refined status. Valck, a renowned engraver, employed intricate lines and shading to capture the delicate details of the Duchess's features and the texture of her clothing. The inclusion of a decorative urn and a cherub-adorned base further adds to the refined atmosphere of the portrait, emphasizing the Duchess's aristocratic background and the importance of beauty and elegance in the courtly culture of the time.